Hello,
Wow. Seeing Phillip Meyer was excellent yesterday. He spoke about his life and the context of his first book. He spoke about the struggles of how he got to where he is now. It was so good to hear that it took 8 years and lots of writing. It is very inspiring. He wrote two books before he wrote this current one which has been well received. I have only written one complete novel and I am on my second one, now. What I have been realising lately is that it is going to take time to develop these skills.
Phillip was talking about how in every job the more you do it the better you get. I know this is true but it was good to hear his experience. He was saying how after a while you start to know what is working and what isn't. This is definitely the difference between a novice and someone who is developing. If you can identify the bad things with your piece then you can change them. He was saying how this has become more unconscious now and he is capable of writing a lot better quality first up, now. So I need to just keep writing, it was really good to hear that even when or if you become successful there has been a struggle beforehand.
He was captivating to me. The way he talked about his life and the deep concepts and he talked constantly, explaining lots of detail, reminded me of myself-when I get carried away. I found it totally intriguing. I was drawn into what he was saying and about his life because to hear another artist talk about his struggles and then feel they are somewhat similar to your own, is very comforting. He was self aware as well which I find refreshing. Totally inspiring. I wish I had more opportunity to talk to him actually. I know he would be a fascinating person to know. (He said he just wrote from morning until night for months and months - I need to get more serious about the time I put into my writing).
For us writers, the message is keep writing, keep going. Writing is what I want to do, so I need to just keep doing it.
